Structure of Gaseous Detonation. III. Density in the Induction Zone of Hydrogen Detonation

Interferometric studies of low pressure laminar detonations have shown the existence of an induction zone with a maximum density in accord with that calculated for the shocked and vibrationally relaxed but unreacted initial mixture. In 2H2 + O2 + 2CO and 7H2 + O2 the vibrational relaxation time is short compared to the induction time, and the latter time is in approximate agreement with the data of Schott and Kinsey. In H2 + 3O2 the observations suggest that the vibrational relaxation time is comparable to, and may in fact determine, the induction time.